Toy construction elements



Aug; 22 1939- w. a. BENJAMIN 2,110,771

TOY CONSTRUCTION ELEIENT Filed Feb. 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheetl n a 7 e B w Aug. 22, 1939.

w. R, BENJAMIN TOY CONSTRUCTION ELEiENT Filed Feb. 18, 1939 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug 22,1939

trap s'rA'n-zs 2,170,171 TOY cons'muc'rron ELEMENTS Walter R. Benjamin, Granite City, 111., assignor to W. R. Benjamin 00., Granite City, Ill.

Application February 18, 1939, Serial No. 257,253

3 Claims.

This invention relates to toy construction elements, and it is an object of the invention to provide elements of this kind including hub members or blocks each having a central opening therethrough and peripherally s1. Jed sockets, said central opening and sockets being of substantially the same diameter, together with two series of rods, the rods of each series being of different lengths with the rods of one series of a diameter and color different from the rods of the second series, the rods of larger diameter engaging within the central opening and the peripheral sockets of each of the hub members or blocks.

The invention also has for an object to provide toy construction elements including hub members or blocks having axial openings therethrough with peripheral sockets therearound together with rods of two difierent diameters to be engaged either tightly or loosely within or through the openings and sockets of the hub members or blocks and wherein are also provided bushings of a size to fit tightly within all of the openings and sockets and into which the the rods of smaller diameter tightly engage whereby it is possible with the rods of diifereut diameters and the bushings to make either a tight rigid fit or a loose working fit within the openings and sockets of the hub members or blocks.

Another object of the invention is to provide toy construction elements so formed and arranged to aiford means whereby various kindsof mechanical motions can be made such as a universal joint, differential, planetary, etc., as well as rigid models of difi'erentkinds such as ladders, fences, towers, bridges, etc.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, 1' will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing's, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating toy construction elements embodying my invention and in an assembly to represent a portable windmill;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3'15 a view partly in top plan and partly in section showing my elements as herein embodied in an assembly to provide a universal joint;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 01 Figure 3;

55 Figure 5 is a fragmentary detailed view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the means for splining a hub member or block upon a rod; t

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one set of rods; 5

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a second set of blocks.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, my improved construction elements comprise a desired number of hub members or blocks I each 10 having axially disposed therethrough an opening land provided in its periphery with a series of circumferentially disposed and 'equi-distantly spacedsockets 3. These sockets 3 areradially directed with respect to the opening 2 and the 15 diameters of said sockets 3 are the same as the diameter of the opening 2.

The elements, as herein disclosed, also include two series of rods. The rods of each series are of three dliferent lengths and of a desired number. The rods in series A are ti, ii and 6 and in series B the rods are i, ii and 9. The rods t and l; t and t; and t and 9 are of the same length and the rods of each series are of the same diameter. The rods d, 5 and 6 comprised in the series A are of a diameter substantially the same as the diameters of the opening 2 and the sockets 3 or each ofthe hub members or blocks I to tightly engage therein. The rods 7, 8 and 9 of series B are of a diameter less than the diameters 30 of the central opening 2 and the sockets 3 of each of the hub members or blocks in order that said rods 5, t and 9 may be freely inserted within or through the opening 2 and the sockets 3.

The rods 6, 5 and t of serles A are all of the same color or other common identity while the rods 7, t and 9 are all of a different color or different identity so that the rods l, 5 and 5 and the rods 7, ii and 9 can be readily distinguished by the child using the elements. 40

The elements also include a desired number of metallic bushings it each having a flange ll surrounding one end thereof. The bore I 2 of each of these bushings i0 is substantially the same as the diameter of the rods 7, 8 and 9 in 45 series B whereby a bushing may snugly fit upon any one of such rods. The major diameter of the bushing I 0 is substantially the same as the diameter of the opening 2 or the sockets 3 of a member or block I so as to have tight engage- 50 ment therein.

My elements also include the rubber washers M to tightly engage around any one of the rods as may be required in an assembly. The elements also include the desired number of blades 56 diameter as the bore or opening 2 of each of the members or blocks I.

In Figure 1 of the drawings is illustrated a portable windmill assembled from the various elements as hereinbeiore referred to and it is to be noted that the rubber washers it are placed upon the various rods 1, 8 and 9 to maintain in proper position thereon for free rotation the applied members or blocks I. In the windmill assembly, the outer kerfs l6 of the rods 5 comprised in the head structure and the rods 6 comprised in the tail structure have inserted therein the marginal portions of the blades or fans IS, the angle or pitch of saidblades or fans being readily determined by the placement of the rods I and 6.

When it is desired to mount a hub member I upon one of the rods 1, 8 or 9, a piece IQ of string or the like may be employed as a key;

I claim:

1. Toy construction elements having in combination a hub member having an axial opening therethru and circumferentially spaced sockets in its periphery, said opening and sockets being of the same diameter, two series of rods, the rods of one series being of a diameter substantially the same as the diameters of the opening and ameters oi the central opening and sockets of the hub member, a flanged bushing having a bore of a diameter to tightly receive a rod of smaller diameter, said bushing being of a major diameter to snugly engage within the opening or sockets of the hub member.

2. Toy constructionelements having in combination a hub member having an axial opening therethru and circumferentially spaced sockets in its periphery, said opening and sockets being of the same diameter, two series of rods, the rods v, of one series being of a diameter substantially the same as the diameters of the opening and sockets of the hub members, the rods of the second series. being of a diameter less than the diameters of the central opening and sockets of the hub member, a flanged bushing having a bore of a diameter to tightly receive a rod of smaller diameter, said bushing being of a major diameter to snugly engage within the opening or sockets of the hub member, the rods of each series having common identifying means, the identifying means of one series of rods being different from the identifying means of the second series of rods.

3. Toy construction elements having in combination a hub member having an axial opening therethru and circumferentially spaced sockets in its periphery, said opening and sockets being of the same diameter, two series of rods, the rods of one series being of a diameter substantially the same as the diametersv of the opening and sockets of the hub membrs, the rods of the second series being of a diameter less than the diameters of the central opening and sockets of the hub member, a flanged bushing having a bore of a diameter to tightly receive a rod of smaller diameter, said bushing being of a major diameter to snugly engage within the opening or sockets of the hub member, and rubber washers to snugly fit upon the rods.

WALTER R. BENJAMIN. 

